Solving challenging engineering problems of national importance. - Associate Director Draper Employee Review

4.0
Aug 6, 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Exposure to a broad set of technologies. Tight collaboration with innovative academics. Cambridge is a great place to work, if you can get there. Not-for-profit status alleviates much of the financial pressure you might feel at a for profit (esp public) entity.

Cons

Commute can be brutal. New senior management is steering the ship in new directions - which can greatly upset the 75% of the staff who have devoted their careers to the more traditional Draper work. (Not saying the new directions aren't the right thing to do, just saying that a lot of good people feel seriously disenfranchised.). Not a lot of turnover at the mid-management levels, so it can take a long time to rise through the organization. Not a lot of corporate growth over the last two decades - so there aren't many new management opportunities created.

Explore other reviews about Draper

5.0
Jun 23, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Everyone is super nice and there is opportunity for movement upwards and into different departments.

Cons

Pay is a little low but other then that absolutely amazing.

2.0
Jun 25, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good benefits, individual workers actually care and show it.

Cons

Toxic management, nepotism culture, company won't take action to fix problems unless it's a finding,

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